The surge of primal magic that formed the Deep Wilds struck the region like a wave. Massive trees grew from the ground, cloaking the landscape in leaves and creaking wood, forming the dense canopy that covers most of the continent. On the ground, flora flourished, leaving no spot of dirt uncovered in the luscious growth. Even the surrounding seas bloomed to life, filling with uncountable species of fish and corals. This burst was also responsible in part for the rise of the Wood Elves, as the tide of life swept over the neighboring island of Lavrari.
While new and more specially adapted wildlife evolved over the course of the Wild's lifetime, none would ever surpass the original native wildlife, raised to from just abnormally intelligent members of their species into fully sapient creatures. These animals would band together to form the Five Roving Clans, the closest thing the Deep Wild will ever have to a civilization.
The Five Clans are split along their species, but a complex system of body language and short calls allows the members to communicate inter-specially. These Clans, as Ysengrims chosen, are responsible for the defense of the Deep Wilds, as well as the stewardship of the land. They are led as a whole by Greatwarden Faoulan Guol, Ysengrim's daughter. The clans are as follows:
Urufu:
The Wolf Clan is reclusive, and they typically have little interaction with the other clans. These enormous wolves typically wear coats of white, that they stain with pigments they either create themselves or barter with the Monkey Clan for, so that other clans may tell the individual members apart more easily. Predatory and loyal to Ysengrim, they are often the first to repel any intruders that have wandered too far into the forest.
Iguru:
Members of the Eagle Clan are regarded as the "scholars" of the Deep Wilds. They spend years in the mountain aeries, learning the history of the Wilds, as well as any knowledge accrued by the other members over the years, through a rich oral history. They also act as scouts for the other clans, performing aerial inspections of the Wilds and their borders. Feather patterns vary for each individual, and serve as a means of distinction. The Eagles are the largest bird in the Deep Wilds, each with a wingspan over the length of the average man.
Kuma:
Peaceful, unless the Deep Wild's are threatened, the Bear Clan is slow to anger, but ferocious when roused. The members of this clan are typically solitary, but remain loyal and will answer the call to assemble without hesitation. They guard the sacred places in the Deep Wilds, and act as caretakers of sort for their personal groves.
Oshika:
The Elk clan are the fewest in number, but also those held in the highest regard by Ysengrim, for they share the form he had before he ascended to divinity. They are Ysengrim's personal messengers, and his most trusted councillors. Even the savage beasts of the Deep Wilds treat the Oshika with respect.
Saru:
Without the members of the Monkey Clan, the Deep Wilds would be a very different place. They form an interconnected network throughout the treetops, that allows information to be relayed quickly throughout the continent. Their unique physiology also allows for some rudimentary crafting, and their pigments are highly valued among the other clans for dying fur or feathers. The Sara are the only clan that can speak the language of other humanoids, with broken Common being the most spoken, and some elders being somewhat fluent in Elvish, or other languages. They are a sociable clan, bringing messages in between the clans in exchange for the latest gossip.
Savage, and downright deadly to outsiders, the Deep Wilds is largely left to it's own devices. Few expeditions set out, and far fewer ever return, those who survive telling harrowing stories about gigantic beasts, or deadly plants, and this is how Ysengrim likes it.
Nature, in it's purest, most savage form, far away from the ravages of the mortal races.
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